Acetylene generator



A. F. JENKINS ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed March 15, 1922 s she ets' sheet 1 D O OO O 0O 0 0 0 0 0 020 00000 o 3a Oct. 18,1927, A F JENKINS 1,646,252

ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed March 15, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I A. F. JENKINS AGETYLENE GENERATOR Filed March 15. 1922 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

PATENT 'OFFICEQ ALEXANDER r. JENKINS, or Boone, MARY AND.

AGETYLENE GENERATOR.

Application filed March 15,1922. Serial No. 543,820.

The invention relates to improvements in acetylene generators tending to efliciency, convenience and economy of operation and construction and toconstructural features :3 which contribute not only to these ends'but to convenience in packing and protection of the apparatus duringtransportation whether packed or uncovered.

The use in apparatus of this nature of a shutoff valve closing the gas delivery passage when the apparatus is not in use and a needle valve for adjusting the flow of'gas to the burner, has been universal. present instance the applicant has combined the needle valve with the shut-off valve and has provided the needle valve with a cleanout pin which projects through the burner aperture, moving back and forth therein as the size of the opening is adjusted or the needle is moved back and forth in closing and opening the valve. 1 p

Also for convenience in taking down and assembling, the reflector which is centrally apertured to admit the burner has a collar with a flange, which latter is riveted to the reflector surrounding the aperture. The burner as shown is shouldered providing a projecting portion which enters the collar.

Another feature of interest is the construction of the carbide holder or pocket with a bottom composed of a singlepiece ofsheet metal. enclosing a cover strap at the bottom which serves as a handle to be grasped by the operator in emptying the pocket of burned carbide and other features as the holder is provided with a base or supporting ring which is attached to the bottom by cars which are cut from the bottom and bent into contact with the ring and riveted or the like, making the bottom of a single piece of sheet metal, which lends to convenience arid economy of construction as well as to lightness and durability.

The apparatus as disclosed includes a drum with a'vent pipe and a delivery pipe. The pipes are spaced apart and extend upward to the top of the tank, both pipes are secured at their upper extremities to a cross bar which may serve either as a handle for In the the entire apparatus or as a handle for the bottom and a swinging arm at the top, by

means of the arm the rod is rotated throw- The tank is also provided with locking means for the drum to prevent it from-being lifted from the tank, making it possible to utilize the cross-barat the top either as. a handle for the drum and pocket or as a handle for theentire apparatusas aforesaid.

vAnother feature of the invention consists 1n the arrangementof the burner and refiector at an acute angle to the delivery pipe which latter is swiveled, making it possible" to swing the reflector downward into position with its flat circular edge orrim in close contact with the side of the tank. This gives economy ofv space inpacking'and also most efiicient protection ofthe reflector and the burner. V 1 a In the accompanying drawing I have illus trated an apparatus embodying theimprovements of my invention in the preferred form in which drawings: I

Figure 1 is avertical central section. of the entire apparatus;

Figure 2 is an elevation of theburner and swivelled deliverypipe separated from the apparatus;

Figure 3 is an elevation or external view of the apparatus with the reflector folded down against the side of the tank as aforesald; p

Figure 4: is a top plan view of the pocket j Figure 5 is a top plan view" of the ap paratus assembled;

F1gure 6 isa section on the axis of the burner showing the burner and a portion ofv the reflector assembled;

Figure '7'. is a vertical central section showing the bottom of the pocket, the remainder of the pocket being broken away; and

Figure 8 is pocket." 1

Referring to the drawings by numerals,

a bottom plan view of the the apparatus comprises a tank 1, which in the form shown is open at the top'at' 2. In

thetank is a drum or bell 3 closed atrthe I top at 4 and open at the bottom, the bottom edge or rim 5 in the present instance resting on the bottom of the tank. Normally the drum or bell 3 is completely submerged in the water in the tank within the drum or bell or Otherwise suitably located. If the generator should be of a different type, it is perfectly feasible to vary the structureand mode of operation and still embody therein a various features of the invention.

"both secured to a horizontal cross-bar 11.

Within the drum is a carbide pocket 6 embodying several novel details but bearing a general resemblance to that disclosed and claimed in my previous Patent No. 1,292,327.

Extending upward from the drum is a delivery pipe .9 and a vent pipe 10. These are which as shown extends diagonally across the tank and may serve as a handle either for liftingthe-entire apparatus, for lifting the drum alone or for lifting the drum with the carbidepocket or holder 6 depending on the arrangement of the locking devices to be described. The delivery pipe extends upward from the cross-bar 11 through which it passes and to which it is secured. A coupling 14 serves to attach to the delivery pipe 9the upright extension or external portion l thereof, which as shown is packed with filtering material of a fibrous or any preferrednature 16 and is provided at its upper 'end with an elbow 17 to which is attached a swivel connection 18 carrying a swinging feed'pipe '19 swinging in a vertical plane parallel to the portion and forming an extension of the delivery pipe which carries at its upperextremity the lighting burner 20 and reflector 21. The burner includes a burner proper or casting 22 and burner tip 23, the burner casting being threaded on to the end of the swinging-feed pipe 19, the

threaded connection being indicated by reference character 24.

More specifically the carbide holder 6 consists of verticalradiating platesl25 supporting perforated pockets 26 preferably overlappingin a verticalphxne and helically arranged as in my previous patent referred to. The holder is provided with a handle 27 1n the form of a metal loop or band at the top. The bottom of the pocket 28 is of a single piece of sheet metal, double slotted centrally to form a band or strap 29 which is bent downward to form a bottom handle, see Fig ures 7 and 8, the pocket or ho-lderis also provided with a supporting ring 30 which is secured to the conical plate28 by depending ears 31 cut from the bottom plate, bent downward and'riveted at32 to the supporting ring. This provides suitable passages 33 for the. water through the bottom of the holder and contributes not only to economy of production but to lightness, simplicity and durability as the method of construction serves to reduce the number of joints in the structure which might be subject to failure.

The pocket is when the apparatus is assembled for operation, placed in the drum 4 as shown.

The delivery pipe extends upwardfrom the top of thedrum being rigidly secured to the top of the drum by screw collars 35 i and 36 inside and outside the top of the drum or in any other sultablc manner. The

. pipe9 extends through the cross-bar 11 at is connected to the bottom of the drum by a horizontal aperture 41 whichextendsthrough the block 40 througlithe side of rtheipipe and 4 through the wallof the drum ancl'at the top 7 ofthe pipe 10 there is a vent-opening 41 just under thefitting 42 at the right, also the bearing of the shaft 45 where it extends through the bar 11 and the fitting 42 not being packed provides for the gradual escape of gas. The vent pipe 10 as shown extends to the cross-bar 11. secured thereto in any suitable manner. This connection may be made in any suitable manneras by means of a sitting 42 riveted to the bar and receiving the end of the vent pipe.

In the form of the invention-shown the vent pipelO serves as a bearingor housing for the lock shaft 45 WlllCll extends vertically the entire length of the vent pipe pro- At the upper end jecting fronr both ends.

lon

it passes through theicrosssbar 11 and has secured to its upper end above the cross-bar an operating arm or lever 46 by which it may be rotated, the arm being preferably offset upward at 47 to permit it to be freely and conveniently grasped and being provided with a stud button or ball 48 which engages a positioning socket 49 in the bar 11 in the locked position of the device as described.

In locked position the lever 46 overlies the 5 cross-bar 11.. The bottom of the shaft 45 is bent laterally forming ahook 50 which is controlled by the operating lever or arm 46",.

i. e., in the portion of the apparatus shown when the ball 48 approaches the socket 49 the hook or lateral projection 50 extends beneath the wall of the drum and also beneath the carbideholder or pocket, serving to lock and support the pocket in the drum so that it can be raised with the drum. ing the lever 46' to a position at right angles to its present position as shown, the carbide holder may be released and it is apparent By rotatand considered an important feature of the invention by which wetting the hands and other lnconveniences are avoided, the lock may be operated, locking and unlocking the carbide pocket from the top ofithe tank. This obviates :the necessity for fishing the holder out of the tank after the drum is removed.

The -apparatus: also includes means for locking. the drum in its position, meaning its generating or normal position relatively to theitank preventing it from floating or other wise becoming displaced and permitting the apparatus to be lifted by the cross-bar 11 which serves as a handle, the drum and crossbar with the vent pipe 10 and the delivery pipe 9 forming a rigid structure. The means for locking the drum consistsv of a lever preferably in theform of a ball crank havlng a vertical arm 56 extendingdown along the sideof the tank from the pivot57 by which the arm is mounted on the side of the tank near the top and a horizontal arm 58- preferably extending over the side of the tank, the top edge 59 of which it contacts as a stop'and-by which horizontal arm thelock is operated. At the bottom otthe' depending arm 56 is a horizontal projection or toot 67 which as seen from. observation of Figure 5 swings into contact with the top of the drum at a point where it is tangent with or contacts or approaches the side wall of the" of thelocking lever 58 rests on the top edge 7 shown it islocked makingthe entire apparatus an integral unit which can be raised and moved by grasping the cross-bar 11 as a handle.

.Having reference to the burner proper or burner casting 22, itwill be observed that the hollowed and internally threaded boss 3 85 which receive's'the swinging burner pipe 19 is'at an acute angle with the burner tip 23 or more properly vice verea the axis of which burner tip is coincident with the axis of the reflector 21 so that when the pipe 19 is swung downward in packing or shippingv position, the edge 60 of the reflector swings into full peripheral contact with the side 61 of the tank, see Figure 3, affording complete protection to the reflector; The burner is otherwise constructed with particular reference to convenience in. assembling and dismounting,.i. e.,. it is formed with a boss 63 coaxial with the burner passage 64 and adapted to receive and cooperate-with the collar 65 formed "on the-reflector support 66 to which the: reflector is. riveted at 67 in place ofithecustomary screw or similar engagement. In other words, the reflector and supportare centrally apertured at 68 and'69 respectively in. registration to pass the In the position.

' and cost of theapparatus and attention requlred to operate held in engagement in any suitable manneras by means of a set screw TO 'threaded in a suitable aperture in the side of the socket which permits it to contact atiits end with the side of.t1 .b i 6 The burneris improved and simplified in:

that it has clean-out means, a needle valve and ashut-oif valve combined in asingle' member and operated simultaneously. More particularly the burner passage 64 whichis threaded adjacent its outer end at 72' to re cei-ve the-tip 2'3 has a Valveseat 73' just beyond" and controlling the feed passage 74' leading from the feed pipe 19 and cooperat ing with this valve seat 7 3 is a needle valve and shut-off valve 75, operated by cooperate ing threads '76, and the valve has a shut-off seating surface 77 and a needle 78 provided;

with an extension wire 79 which passes through the burner orifice 80vmoving back 1 and forth and rotating therein as the valve is open-ed and-closed and serving to: keep the I aperture clear avoiding clogging of the burneraperture. I

The operation of the apparatus is believed to have been fully disclosed in connectionwith the description, it being understood;

that the carbide holder is filled, inserted in the drum and locked therein by rotary lever 46 to the position shown and that the drum and carbide holder are then inserted in the being in turn locked therein by the locking iever'56 which is swung out ofthe path of the drum asthe latter is inserted, swinging the locking foot 57 out of the path of the drum by raising the arm 58 and returning I it tolocking position by lowering theami 58' into, contact with the top edge of the tank as shown. When the apparatus is thus assembled it maybe handled as an integral".

unit by the cross-bar 11 grasped as a. handle and both locks may be released from the top of the tank,- the carbide holder lock by rotating the arm 46 and the drum lock by rais ing the arm 58 When the charge is consu'med the carbide holder IS'IGIDOVBd when the bottom handle becomes-of great advantage in knocking loose the burned carbide which as is known to those skilled in the art becomes caked in the holder.

The advantage ofthe single valve 74 servalso operable with the valve are apparent inth-at they greatly reduce the complication The advantage of the burner structureperthe amount of mitti-ng'thereflector to be removed and re-Q p aced instantaneouslywithout removing the l tip'and permitting the apparatus tobej packed and otherwise folded for transportation in a position which not only economizes space but which protects the reflector and tip are also of great importance.

,Ihaveythus described my invention specilically and in detail so that the nature and operation of same may be. clearly underand locking means for holding the parts in assembled relation, the same consisting of a rod extending through the vent pipe, an arm projecting from the rod within the generator and means for rotating the rod serving to swing the arm and move it-into and out of locking parts. 1 i

2. In an acetylene generator, a vent pipe and locking means for holdingthe parts in assembled relation, the same consisting ofa rod extending through the vent pipe,an arm projecting from the rod within the generator relation with the generator and means for rotating the rod serving to.

swing the arm and move it into and out of locking relation with the generator parts and releasable means for holding said locking member in looking position. a i

3. In an acetylene generator, at delivery pipe having a swinging extension, aburner,

on said extension, a reflector in operative relation to the burner, the reflector being set atan angle withthe extension pipe corre sponding to the relation of the latter to the side of thegenerator whereby the reflector is caused to lie flatagainst the s'ideof the generator when the extension is turned downward for convenience in packing.

4,. In an acetylene generator, a tank, a drum, a carbide holder in the drum, an upright vent pipe, an upright delivery pipe and a bar extending across the tank near the top connecting the vent pipe and the delivery pipe the tank enclosing the drum and holder, the cross-bar fitting inside the tank and contacting it at both ends and serving as a positioning means for the drum.

5X11; an acetylene generator, a tank, a drum, a carbide holder in the drum, an upright vent pipe, an upright delivery pipe and a bar extending, across the tanknear the top connectlng the vent plpe and the delivery pipe, a locking member consisting of a rod extending through the vent pipe, a locking. arm on .the rod, and means for rotatingthe rod to move the arm into and out of locking relation with the holder.

6. In an acetylene generator, a tank, a drum having a delivery pipe and a vent pipe rigidly secured thereto and placedin upright position anda cross-bar to which both said pipes are secured the ends of the cross-bar. engaging t-hetank' at both I sides and serving to position the drum so that the said parts form a rigid integral structure;

7. I11 an acetylene generator, a tank,Ya drum having a delivery pipe and a'vent pipe rigidly secured thereto and placed in an1up right position and cross-bar fitting snugly. inside the tank and contacting the opposite" sides of the tank adjacent the top of the tank to which cross-bar bothsaid pipes are se-' cured so thatthe said parts form arigid integral. structure, and means forfastening the drum in the tank. a I

8. In an acetylene generator, a square tank, a drum having a delivery pipe and a" vent pipe rigidly secured thereto and placed in an upright position and a cross-bar ad-" jacent the top of the tank extendingqfrom corner to corner ofthe tanlctowhich both said pipes are secured forming a'rigid in-;- tegral structure the. bar serving to support I and position the drum; and means for fastening the. drum in thetank. 9. In an acetylene .generatora drum and" a tank, anupright delivery pipe, an upright w vent pipe, both being-rigidly securedto the drum and a cross'bar spaced above the drum and connecting the vent and delivery pipes the cross-bar extending across the tank, its

ends. engaging the opposite corners of the tank serving to position the drum. V I

10. In an I acetylene generator, a tank, a drum having a delivery pipe and a vent pipe placed in an upright position and rigidly secured to the drum,the vent pipeextending substantially to the bottom of the drum, a carbide holder inthe drum, ashaft extending down through theventpipe, anoperating arm forsaid shaft at the top of. the tank, a hook on the shaft at the bottomofthe drum,. the armserving to rotate the shaft and move the hook under the holder and to swing the hook out from under the holder engaging and releasing the holder.

11. In an acetylene generator, a tank, a

drum having a delivery pipe and a ventpipe placed in an upright position and rigidly secured to the drum, the vent pipe extend. ing substantially to the bottom ofthe drum, a carbide holder in the drum, a shaft extend-; ing down through the vent pipe, an operating arm for said shaft at the top ofthetank,

a hook "on theshaft at the bottom of the drum, the arm serving to rotate the shaft,

and move the hook under the pocketand toswing the hook out from .under the pocket serving to engageand releasethe pocket, a i

cross-armmear the top of the tank secured to the delivery pipe and to the'vent pipe and fastening means operable from the top of the tank for locking the drum in position in the tank. w

'12. In an acetylenegenerator, a' carbide V holder consisting of uprightsuandpockets having a conical bottom composed of a single piece of sheet metal, a supportinv member for the holder, the sheet metal bottom having a handle or strap cut from the body of the metal and tabs also cut from the body of the metal, and means for fastening the same to the supporting member.

13. In an acetylene generator having a tank with a fiat side surface, a swinging feed pipe, a burner and a reflector secured to the end of the feed pipe, the latter being arranged with its axis at an acute angle to the pipe so that when the burner is swung down,

the peripheral edge of the reflector lies flat against the side of the tank.

Signed by me at Baltimore, Maryland, this 23rd day of February, 1922.

' ALEXANDER F. JENKINS. 

